Bryanna Mountford
I graduated from the University of Richmond in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. But my true passion is martial arts.
I started Tae Kwon Do when I was 7 years old with AIM USA because I loved the Power Rangers. I became a junior instructor when I was a purple belt, helping in front of the class and teaching small groups. This opportunity helped me come out of my shell and taught me not only how to teach, but that teaching could improve my own training. I have been on demo teams and have demonstrated for several events throughout the years. In addition to self-defense training, I am proficient with multiple weapons including bo staff, nunchucks, and the katana. I received my first-degree black belt from AIM USA in June of 2015 after nine years of training and hard work, and after 7 years of teaching and training, in April of 2023, I received my second-degree black belt.
I believe that it is important for young children and adults to have training in martial arts and self-defense techniques, which teaches discipline, respect, and perseverance. It also teaches character building and how to survive daily struggles that may arise in life. Everybody learns in their own way and at their own pace. Tae Kwon Do has taught me how to overcome challenges, both mentally and physically. I feel I represent my black belt even when I am not wearing it. Martial arts has taught me honesty, humility, patience, diligence, and sincerity, but it has also shown me compassion, tough love, self-love, and what true love is supposed to be like.
I started Tae Kwon Do when I was 7 years old with AIM USA because I loved the Power Rangers. I became a junior instructor when I was a purple belt, helping in front of the class and teaching small groups. This opportunity helped me come out of my shell and taught me not only how to teach, but that teaching could improve my own training. I have been on demo teams and have demonstrated for several events throughout the years. In addition to self-defense training, I am proficient with multiple weapons including bo staff, nunchucks, and the katana. I received my first-degree black belt from AIM USA in June of 2015 after nine years of training and hard work, and after 7 years of teaching and training, in April of 2023, I received my second-degree black belt.
I believe that it is important for young children and adults to have training in martial arts and self-defense techniques, which teaches discipline, respect, and perseverance. It also teaches character building and how to survive daily struggles that may arise in life. Everybody learns in their own way and at their own pace. Tae Kwon Do has taught me how to overcome challenges, both mentally and physically. I feel I represent my black belt even when I am not wearing it. Martial arts has taught me honesty, humility, patience, diligence, and sincerity, but it has also shown me compassion, tough love, self-love, and what true love is supposed to be like.
Gordon Bowen
I graduated from Salem High School in the spring of 2013. I am currently attending TCC for my degree in civil engineering. I am hoping to transfer to ODU after getting my associates degree. I started Karate when I was 12 years old and have been doing it ever since. I am currently a 2nd degree black belt.
I am also an eagle scout and have been involved with boy scouts since the first grade. I believe that boy boy scouts and karate go hand in hand due to the fact that both require you to put time and effort into achieving the end goals that you want.
I earned my eagle scout in December of 2010 and my black belt in January of 2013. I believe that youth and adults need some sort of martial arts and self defense training because it teaches discipline and respect
I am also an eagle scout and have been involved with boy scouts since the first grade. I believe that boy boy scouts and karate go hand in hand due to the fact that both require you to put time and effort into achieving the end goals that you want.
I earned my eagle scout in December of 2010 and my black belt in January of 2013. I believe that youth and adults need some sort of martial arts and self defense training because it teaches discipline and respect
Jimmy Abate
I started Martial arts training at age 5 through Athletes In Motion (AIM). I received my training through several respected AIM instructors. As a Brown Belt, I started assisting as a junior instructor under the guidance of former AIM instructor, Steve Mann. I proudly received my Black Belt on March 31, 2007 at the age of 15.
I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in the Spring of 2014 and have been an instructor with AIM since 2008. Many students stay together for several years on the road to receiving their Black Belts. During this time friendships and bonds are formed as well as learning self-defense, self-awareness while being part of our "DOJO" family.
I feel everyone should be able to defend themselves and I want to continue to share my knowledge with AIM students. I believe everyone learns at their own pace and should have fun while learning the art form. While I am teaching students I believe they also teach me in return. Come join the AIM family of
martial artists.
I have a website for students and parents to share info on classes/cancellations/downloaded Katas, etc.
"Having a Black Belt does not mean it is the final destination for Martial Arts, rather just the beginning of the journey."
I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in the Spring of 2014 and have been an instructor with AIM since 2008. Many students stay together for several years on the road to receiving their Black Belts. During this time friendships and bonds are formed as well as learning self-defense, self-awareness while being part of our "DOJO" family.
I feel everyone should be able to defend themselves and I want to continue to share my knowledge with AIM students. I believe everyone learns at their own pace and should have fun while learning the art form. While I am teaching students I believe they also teach me in return. Come join the AIM family of
martial artists.
I have a website for students and parents to share info on classes/cancellations/downloaded Katas, etc.
"Having a Black Belt does not mean it is the final destination for Martial Arts, rather just the beginning of the journey."
Josh Fracker
I started Tae Kwon Do at the age of 6 at Yoo’s Tae Kwon Do Academy. I then studied under Master Solomon Lee at A+ Martial Arts where I received my Black Belt. In 2004 I moved to Gentle East Martial Arts where I studied under Master’s Bernard and Barbra Robinson. In August of 2007 I achieved the rank of Second Dan.
I started with teaching with AIM in 2003 with Tony Western. I also spend eight to ten hours a week teaching all levels and ages at Gentle East. In addition, I am a captain of the Competition Team and have been competing in Olympic Style Tournaments for the past three years.
Click here to see Josh in action at a tournament
Josh competed and won 1st place in his division. He fought a young
man that competes on a National level and even went out for the
USAT World Team. Josh is in the white head gear and red chest protector.
I started with teaching with AIM in 2003 with Tony Western. I also spend eight to ten hours a week teaching all levels and ages at Gentle East. In addition, I am a captain of the Competition Team and have been competing in Olympic Style Tournaments for the past three years.
Click here to see Josh in action at a tournament
Josh competed and won 1st place in his division. He fought a young
man that competes on a National level and even went out for the
USAT World Team. Josh is in the white head gear and red chest protector.
Kailyn (Sissy) Sadler
I have been working for AIM since 2013. For me, I have always been a kid at heart and therefore I will always be one. This is why I love working with kids.
I received my black belt when I was 16 years old. One of the things that I've learned in my past 10 years of trying to achieve my black belt; is that when you have been carrying a weight on your back and you want to break free you have to make yourself want it bad enough to break it yourself.
I instruct at Jacobs Elementary, OB Gates Elementary, Marguerite Elementary, Providence Elementary and
CC Wells. I have my own website to show cancellations and upcoming news.
Email Contact: [email protected]
I received my black belt when I was 16 years old. One of the things that I've learned in my past 10 years of trying to achieve my black belt; is that when you have been carrying a weight on your back and you want to break free you have to make yourself want it bad enough to break it yourself.
I instruct at Jacobs Elementary, OB Gates Elementary, Marguerite Elementary, Providence Elementary and
CC Wells. I have my own website to show cancellations and upcoming news.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Mark Winn
Worked with AIM for many years. Mark has run camps for us and subs on occasion.
Matt Summers
I am a 2nd degree Black Belt in Okinawa Shorin-Ryu. I've been in the martial arts for more than 20 years and has been with the AIM program since 1995. I currently teach self defense classes at the Arlington location. I'm a proud father of 5 children. Four children live in Michigan with their mom and my youngest son lives with my wife, Sharon, and I in McLean, VA.
I believe that everyone has confidence but some have forgotten how to use it. I am here to not just teach you how to kick, block, punch and defend yourself, but to also teach you that you have a voice, you have a choice, and no one can take that away from you.
Martial Arts is a way of life. It will change your life, how you present yourself, how you speak in front of a group and even how you walk down the street.
Let me introduce you to the confident voice that has been hiding inside.
I believe that everyone has confidence but some have forgotten how to use it. I am here to not just teach you how to kick, block, punch and defend yourself, but to also teach you that you have a voice, you have a choice, and no one can take that away from you.
Martial Arts is a way of life. It will change your life, how you present yourself, how you speak in front of a group and even how you walk down the street.
Let me introduce you to the confident voice that has been hiding inside.
Mitch Powell
I started my martial arts training at age 15 at Chuck Norris Karate studio in Norfolk, VA. A few years later I graduated from Cox High School and joined the Army. There I took some combative training classes which had a very different style of “self-defense”.
I started helping our Instructor Gordon Bowen when my two daughters were taking his AIM classes at Kempsville Elementary. At first I would help out with showing the students how to move their arms and feet, then helped out by doing pre-workouts and stretching. With Gordon’s help, I got back into Tae Kwon Do. I received my Black Belt in April from AIM.
Working with AIM I hope to help the young children who have been picked on gain respect for
themselves and be able to hold their ground from bullies.
I started helping our Instructor Gordon Bowen when my two daughters were taking his AIM classes at Kempsville Elementary. At first I would help out with showing the students how to move their arms and feet, then helped out by doing pre-workouts and stretching. With Gordon’s help, I got back into Tae Kwon Do. I received my Black Belt in April from AIM.
Working with AIM I hope to help the young children who have been picked on gain respect for
themselves and be able to hold their ground from bullies.
Phillip Moo
I am excited to be part of the AIM instructor team. I love martial arts. I would watch Kung Fu movies and Bruce Lee with my dad when I was a kid. We started karate together when I was 6 years old. I've been training ever since ( a combined 29 years with two styles of martial arts).
I started in a Shotokqn style called Kyokushin Kai Kan. Then, in college, on the campus of Clemson University ( go Tigers!), I joined a club called Cuong Nhu, which is a very interesting mix of hard and soft style martial arts. I currently train and teach Cuong Nhu at Zanshin Dojo in Richmond.
I started in a Shotokqn style called Kyokushin Kai Kan. Then, in college, on the campus of Clemson University ( go Tigers!), I joined a club called Cuong Nhu, which is a very interesting mix of hard and soft style martial arts. I currently train and teach Cuong Nhu at Zanshin Dojo in Richmond.
Robert Simms
Robert Simms has worked with AIM since 1995 and has been a huge contributor to the success of the AIM organization!
Roy Spencer
I am a 1st degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. I have been in martial arts for more than 20 years and have been with the AIM program since 2004. I currently teach Self-Defense classes in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Albemarle and Augusta Counties. I have been a resident of the area for most of my life.
My philosophy is that Self-Defense not only teaches you the basic ways to protect yourself but also give you a voice of self-confidence and it will change many aspects of your life. It will help you tackle all types of challenges.
I want my students to become fit, more confident, able to defend themselves and have a good time.
My philosophy is that Self-Defense not only teaches you the basic ways to protect yourself but also give you a voice of self-confidence and it will change many aspects of your life. It will help you tackle all types of challenges.
I want my students to become fit, more confident, able to defend themselves and have a good time.
Tony Western
I have been a 1st Dan in the art of Tae Kwon Do for about 15 years and have been an instructor with AIM since 2000.
I live in the Richmond area with my wife Deborah and my two sons -one who is also a 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do.
I currently instruct classes in Hanover and Henrico counties. I believe that all children should know what to do to get away from someone and to protect themselves.
I live in the Richmond area with my wife Deborah and my two sons -one who is also a 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do.
I currently instruct classes in Hanover and Henrico counties. I believe that all children should know what to do to get away from someone and to protect themselves.